1 comment:

Anonymous
said...

Hill hopes: The new arena can revive a community

Tuesday, April 10, 2007Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Editorial

Along with elected representatives, every community has its share of self-appointed leaders. They usually come from within the ranks of activists who have taken it upon themselves to do what many citizens are too tired, too indifferent or too ill-informed to do.

The Hill District, potentially one of the most dynamic areas of growth and investment in the city, is fortunate to have committed activists speaking on its behalf on a variety of issues.

Historically, the Hill District has not always been well-served by its elected officials. That's why ad hoc community organizers, clergy, business leaders and neighborhood mavericks have felt compelled to make their voices heard whenever community investment becomes an issue.

Last Thursday, 20 Hill District business leaders, activists and clergy petitioned Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and County Chief Executive Dan Onorato for a place at the community development table. Building a new arena for the Pittsburgh Penguins will generate millions in construction and new jobs.

Also in attendance were state Sen. Jim Ferlo, state Rep. Jake Wheatley and city Councilwoman Tonya Payne. The presence of high-profile politicians is proof of how seriously the community leaders are taken by the city's political elite.

True to their bold advocacy style, the Hill leaders wasted no time in putting their cards on the table. They asked for $10 million in up-front development money, guaranteed jobs for "minorities of color," arena revenue sharing and an unspecified 30-year annual contribution to a community fund.

Bold demands, certainly. The residents of the Hill District, however, should be able to benefit from job creation and investment opportunities in their community. They were forgotten when the Civic Arena was carved from their neighborhood in the 1950s.

We agree with Marimba Milliones of the Greater Hill Coalition of Concerned Citizens that there should be a tangible agreement between the city and the residents that "respects the needs and agenda of the Hill District community."

Councilwoman Payne is right that the terms of any understanding should reflect broad community input and not just the will of the activists who are trying to seal the deal. To his credit, David Morehouse, the new Penguins president, agreed Friday to sit down with neighborhood representatives on redevelopment in the Lower Hill.

Every step of the process in moving forward must be as transparent as glass, and every person -- elected or not -- must be accountable to the people of Pittsburgh.

Mayor Ravenstahl agrees with Hill District leaders about the wisdom of a written "community benefits agreement" so that casino developer Don Barden, elected officials and the Penguins know what is being asked of each. This is eminently reasonable, given the economic stakes.

Things are starting to move on the Hill. With hundreds of millions of dollars in new development about to unfold, responsible and concerned people can negotiate ways to harness the benefits in a way that moves the whole community forward.